Two-way radio garment



'I'WOI-WAY RADIO GARMENT,

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March :50, 1940 iii. iiz ar June 2, 1942. B. COVER. sh 2,2

' TWO-WAY RADIO GARMENT Filed March so, 1940- s Sheets-Sheet 2 l l l l I I I 7 I v I {@2272 Z07; T47rzes$e: Ear/h y 5 ("a we lK laz/ Patented June 2, 1942 Berkey E. Cover, Sn, Chicago,

Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Electra-Voice Corporation, Wilmington, aware Del., a corporation of Del- Application March 30, 1940, Serial No. 326,850

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a two-way radio garment or coat and equipment for transmitting and receiving audible signals for use by firemen,

policemen, sailors, miners, or others working in tunnels or underground, or anyone else requiring a portable two way radio communication. As an example for use by firemen, the device is designed for giving comprehensive orders rapidly during wide spread fires to those working in or around the building on fire and for sending and receiving messages in both directions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a two-way radio outfit which is capable of ap- V .plication to a garment such as an overcoat or other coat and which can be easily manipulated by equipment carried by the coat for sending and receiving purposes and which will permit practical application in every day requirements for portable means or communication in an efficie'nt and a simple manner and which will be of relatively light weight, compact, and which will permit free movements or the person wearing same so as not to interfere with the duties such person may becalled upon to performi Another object of the invention is to provide a two-way radio signal system in connection with a garment which will have the appearance of an ordinary over or outer coat preferably water, weather and 'iir'e proof fabric or cloth which may be suitably insulated with asbestos or other non-conductor against heat and in which the batteries and equipment such as the transmitter or receiver are mounte inpockets of the garment so as to be readily accessible or replaced and which includes a sending microphone preferably mounted on the cuff of one sleeve and earphones, headphones, or receivers associated with the collar of the garment for receiving mes sages, the whole device being controlled by a switch associated with the transmitter and receiver unit of the radio set mounted in one pocket.'

Further objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an outside view of a two-way radio garinent or coat with transmitting and receiving a paratus in accordance with the invention and with the coat spread out;

Fig. 2 is an inside view thereof v Fig; 3 is a view of the garment being .worn and shown for receiving messages; 7

Fig. l is a view similar to Fig. 3 but shown for sending messages;

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the wiring;

designed to accommodate Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 66 Of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing the electrical connections with the radio sending and receiving unit or set;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the pockets or compartments of the garment with the transmitter and receiver therein;

Fig. 9 is a view of the outfit for detachable mounting and with certainparts disconnected;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevation showing the mounting and antenna socket; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section taken on the line H-Q-H or Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it designates a garment which may be an over or outer coat of any suitable material such as waterproofed and fireprooied cloth or canvas with fire resisting lining This garment has the usualback portion l6,

left'rr'o'nt fia' If! and right front flap 18 ada ted to overlap and be buttoned or otherwise secured in closed position. The collar is designated at I!) and is relatively wide so as to project up over the ears when raised. The left sleeve is designated at 29, the right sleeve at 2! and the garment has pockets including a left hand ocket 22 whichi accessible at the top and at the inside as is the right hand pocket 23, both of these pockets being open at the top and also accessible through openings 2 shown as inclined slits or openings in the body of the garment. one of the pockets, such as the left hand pocket 22 is designed to accommodate the removable battery pocket 25 and the other or right hand pocket is designed to accommodate a removable unit or equipment pocket 26, both of which may be readily insertedin position from the inside of the I garment as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. batteries 21 having three or any other suitable number of cells or suitable units for sending and receiving service, while the other pocket 26 is the radio equipment or unit for two-way electrical signal transmission in the form of a transmitter and receiver for two-way service. This may be any suitable type having the usual equipment and accessories for tuning and for alternately sending or receiving electronic energy or messages. The pockets 25 and 2'5, and thus the equipment mounted therein are adapted to be supported from a belt 29 which may be mounted between the lining and outer material of the garment and sewed at the inside or otherwise secured in position. This belt such as asbestos or otherwise.

'The pocket 25 is designed to receive the r is of flat tubular construction and forms a tunnel or conduit which may be lined with metallic fibre with or without some waterproof material such as asbestos and like the coat is water and fire proofed fabric or cloth and the pockets may be lined with metallic cloth as well as the runways, tunnels or conduits of which the belt is made. The belt has a buckle 30 at one end and a strap 3| with holes at the other end to connect the belt around the waist, although any other suitable form of adjustable connection may be provided. This fiat tube 32 of canvas suitably lined with metallic cloth or asbestos combined, as indicated at 33 is designed to contain the various insulated wires or conductors of the electrical circuits of the apparatus as will be hereinafter more fully described. It includes a branch or extension tube 34 extending into one sleeve and shown as the left hand sleeve and then through a hole 35 at the cufi of the sleeve for permanent or detachable connection with a transmitter or microphone 36 adapted to be conveniently raised to the mouth in speaking for sending signals or verbal instructions. A branch or extension tube or conduit 31 leads from the tube 34 to the collar in back of the left hand sleeve and branches off at the neck for connection with a cross piece 38 on the collar having upright portions 39 to connect with the ear phones, headphones or receivers 40 which are mounted on the collar and adapted to be brought over the ears when the collar is raised as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The microphone 36 on the sleeve may be permanently stitched in position or detachably mounted in an opening in the sleeve with suitable means such as a flap 36a for protection thereof or may be mounted in the lining and the ear phones or receivers 40 may be similarly mounted in position with or without detachable plug and socket connections for connection of the conductors thereto. The ear phones or receivers may also be connected by an elastic flexible band 4! which fits over the head to additionally support the parts in position in conjunction with the collar when raised.

The back of the coat in rear of the pocket and under the sleeve is provided with an opening 42 with a mounting flange or bushing 43 of insulation so as to support a spring socket 44 in an upright position. This socket has a contact 45 in the bottom connected to one of the conductors and is adapted to detachably support an upright aerial or antenna rod 46. This rod may be of telescopic'or extensible type composed of sections telescoping one within the other as shown, and is adapted to project upward at the back of the wearer and at one side of the head,

approximately at the shoulder so as not to in-' terfere with the free movements of the person wearing the same. If desired an additional loop or eyelet 41 may receive the antenna rodfor securing the latter against the garment.

The stitching of the belt or tubular conduit 29 is connected at 48 and in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the conduit may be so mounted in position or between the linings or otherwise secured permanently or detachably, or of vulcanized rubber composition.

In Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive the device is of the same construction, but the apparatus is shown detachably mounted in position as by suitable spaced ball and socket fasteners or snaps, the sockets of which are designated at 49 mounted in the cloth or other material of the garment and the ball heads 50 to engage the sockets are mounted on the conduit, although other suitable means may be provided for detachably securing the conduit and other parts detachably within the coat.

In the wiring diagram shown the battery 21 has one cell provided with a terminal 5| and with other cells having additional terminals 52 and 53, the terminal 5| being part of the receiving circuit and the terminal 52 being a common return while the terminal 53 will be associated with an electrical cell of the battery for sending or transmitting purposes and of the necessary electrical energy for this purpose. Ordinary single plug and socket connections, or other terminals may be provided for making the necessary electrical connections of the conductors 54, 55 and 56 respectively with the terminals 5|, 52 and 53. A conductor 57 leads from the contact 45 of the aerial or antenna rod to the aerial connection 58 on the transmitter and receiver 28. Other terminals 59, 60 and BI have the conductors 54, 55 and 56 connected thereto and conductors 62, 63 and 64 lead from the microphone 36 to the terminals 65, 66 and 61. Conductors 68 and 69 lead from terminals 10 and H to the ear phones or receivers 40. A suitable switch 12 spring actuated by a spring 13 and normally set for receiving purposes is mounted on the transmitting and receiving unit 28 and when actuated or pressed against the action of the spring will be disposed in position for transmitting signals by the use of the microphone 36 as shown in Fig. 4 when the left arm is raised so that the microphone will be placed to the mouth. The ordinary receiving position in the use of the garment is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A stop 14 is provided on the unit 28 for the switch 12 or this may be a portion of the switch such as a contact for controlling the sending circuit as distinguished from the ordinary receiving position of the circuit when the switch is in its normal position. Ordinary plug or terminal insulating blocks 75 and 16 maybe provided on the battery and on the radio unit for accommodating the sockets of detachable plug and socket connectors 11 at the various points where electrical connection is made with the different parts of the system and these may be employed at the ear phones or receivers, as well as at the microphone, or at other suitable points in addition to the battery 21 and transmitting and receiving unit or equipment 28.

In the operation of the device the signals may be received by leaving the switch 12 in a normal position when the ear phones or receivers are worn as shown in Fig. 3. In transmitting signals or instructions, one hand is inserted through the pocket opening to set the switch 12 to sending position and the microphone 36 is placed to the mouth so that a two-way conversation may be carried on or orders transmitted and the device quickly changed from one position to the other. Owing to the fact that the equipment is relatively small, compact, and of lightweight and is carried in a garment such as an overcoat, it may be easily carried about and in this sense is highly portable. The antenna mounted, as described, will not interfere with free movements of the operator while the runways and pockets for the electrical conductors are lined with metallic fabric which provides a shield, and of course any suitable waterproof and fireproof material may be used so that the use and operation of the device is greatly facilitated and all at the back of the garment.

parts of the radio equipment can be removed or readily replaced when necessary.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A garment in the form of a coat having compartments, an ear phone mounted on the collar of the coat, a microphone on the sleeve of the coat, a transmitting and receiving equipment mounted in the compartments and within the coat and having electrical connections to the earphone and microphone, a protective conduit mounted in the garment and containing con-' ductors between the equipment including the ear phone and microphone and means for securing said conduit in position,

2. A garment in the form of a coat having compartments, an earphone mounted on the collar of the coat, a microphone on the sleeve of the coat, a transmitting and receiving equipment mounted in the compartments and within the coat and having electrical connections to the earphone and microphone, a protective conduit mounted in the garment and containing conductors between the equipment including the earphone and microphone and means for securing said conduit in position, said conduit being in the form of a belt and a socket associated with the circuit adapted to support an antenna 3. A two-way radio garment including a transmitting and receiving unit, batteries, said garment having pockets with compartments accessible from the inside and outside adapted to receive said unit and batteries, earphones adapted to be mounted on the collar of the garment to fit against the ears when the collar is raised, a microphone mounted on a sleeve and a conduit in the form of a tubular member adapted to be secured around the coat at the waist line and having connection with the earphones, microphone, transmitting and receivingunit and batteries through the medium of conductors therein and a metallic lining in the tubular member adapted to act as a shield for said conductors.

4. In combination with an overcoat adapted to be fastened at the front, sleeves thereof and a collar adapted to be turned up over the ears, said coat having interior compartments accessible from the inside and outside, transmitting and receiving equipment mounted in the compartments and including a source of electrical power and a receiving and sending apparatus, a belt within the coat adapted to be fastened around the waist of the wearer, switches controlling said equipment, said belt constituting a conduit containing insulated electrical connections, said belt having a branch conduit extending into one sleeve to the free end thereof and another branch conduit extending to the collar with an auxiliary branch, receivers mounted on the collar and electrically connected through said branches, a transmitter mounted on the sleeve and electrically connected through the conduit therein, a socket at the back of the coat and having electrical connection through the same with the equipment and an aerial detachably mounted in said socket.

5. A two-way radio garment consisting of a coat, receiving and sending equipment carried by the coat and having a conduit containing electrical connections, receivers mounted on the collar of the coat and electrically connected with the equipment through said conduit, said receivers adapted to be presented adjacent the ears when the coat collar is turned up and a transmitter on the sleeve of the coat at the cuff having electrical connection through a conduit ex-v tending through the sleeve and connected to the aforesaid conduit and equipment and a socket having electrical connection with the equipment through the coat and adapted to detachably mount an antenna.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a two-way radio apparatus adapted for application to an overcoat having a wide collar adapted to be turned adjacent the ears, sleeves and pockets, comprising a belt adapted to be arranged within the garment and constituting a conduit for electrical connection with transmitting and receiving equipment adapted to be mounted in the coat, said conduit having extensions to the collar and cuff through a sleeve, a transmitter adapted to be mounted on the sleeve and electrically connected through said conduit to the equipment, and receivers on the extensions adaptedto be secured to the collar to be presented against the ears.

'7. A garment provided with a collar and a sleeve, said garment having compartments, an earphone mounted on said collar, a microphone on said sleeve, a transmitting and receiving equipment mounted in said compartments and having electrical connections with the earphone and microphone, a protective conduit mounted in the garment and containing conductors between the equipment including the earphone and microphonefand means for. securing said conduit in position.

BERKEY E. COVER, SR. 

